Proper handwashing will prevent you from spreading any and all pathogens that are spread via the following routes: Airborne, bloodborne, skin contact, bodily fluids and touching surfaces by an infected person. Stocking up on toilet paper isn’t going to keep you and your family safe; handwashing will.

Do you remember when you were a kid and your mom always told you to wash your hands before dinner? I was a gross kid. To me, washing my hands consisted of turning on the water and counting to 20.

Yes, I’ll be the first to admit it, I was a gross kid. I was so gross I even picked up chewed and spit out gum off the street in front of my house and ate it. Yeah; gravel is crunchy.

If only I knew 46-years later, I’d be writing about germ prevention, I probably would have just left the gum sitting on the road. Nah, who am I kidding, I would have probably found another piece and ate that.

Children today still pull that number (not the gum; the handwashing) and there are some adults I know who have poor personal hygiene habits.

A few years back when I worked in a hospital, I had the misfortune of having my office right next to the bathroom where all the nurses from different areas of the hospital would come to poop. Because why would you want to poop where you work? Come clear across the other end of the hospital. Oy, people!

The walls were super thin. I heard every orchestra that came out of someones butt. On a daily basis, I would hear someone pee, a plunk here and there, followed by the toilet flush and 3 seconds later they were out the door. Needless to say, I knew which nurses were the ones I wouldn’t want taking care of me if I was ever admitted to the hospital.

I know, you’re wondering how I got that office. Just lucky I guess!

Let’s be real here for a second. How hard is it to squirt some soap on your hands and rinse them under warm water?

Not only is washing your hands imperative for you to stay healthy, but it’s also one of the most important ways to prevent getting ill and giving communicable diseases to others. Not to mention spreading germs to those with immunosuppressed illnesses.

So why does handwashing really matter?

Aside from the fact it’s totally gross if you don’t wash your hands, it matters because dangerous bacteria can survive in all sorts of places throughout your house, like the kitchen, on your dog you just petted, your hands, utensils, knobs, cutting boards, your tablet or cell phone. The list will go on forever.

Let’s face it, we live in a germ-infested bacteria-ridden world, and your hands are the cruise ship for the germs.

Did you know if you don’t wash your hands before touching your utensils and the kitchen counter, you can actually spread the lingering bacteria that jumped off your hands onto your food, your cooking tools then into your family? Gross, right?

When should you wash your hands?

Before, during, and after preparing food.

Before eating food.

Before and after caring for someone who is sick.

Before and after treating a cut or wound.

After using the toilet. (Pee and Poop. Some people think if they pee they don’t have to wash their hands). GROSS!

After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet.

After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste.

After handling pet food or pet treats.

After touching garbage.

What’s the proper way to wash your hands?

Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.

Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.

Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice, or sing a verse of “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” by Wam!. I vote for the second one.

Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.

Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them. Don’t dry them on the old gross dirty towel you used to dry the dog off after his bath.

Watch this video on proper handwashing.

What if I’m someplace and I don’t have any running water or soap? I could be camping.

Washing hands with soap and water are the best way to reduce the number of germs on them in most situations. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in some situations, but sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs and might not remove harmful chemicals. Hand sanitizers are not as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy.

For every 3 times, you use a hand sanitizer, wash your hands with soap and water before applying your sanitizer for the 4th time. If your hands are visibly soiled, use soap and water.

Hand sanitizers should NEVER replace actually using soap and water.

How do you use hand sanitizers?

Apply the product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount).

Rub your hands together. (Watch for papercuts).

Rub the product over all surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry.

Here is a great video showing the proper way to use hand sanitizer.

Awesome! Now I know the proper way to wash my hands, now when do I wash them?

After touching garbage and when you come back inside from bringing the garbage can in from the curb.

After using the toilet. (Seems obvious, but a lot of people don’t do this).

Preventing illness takes a lot of dedication, but it’s so important for the health of you and your family.

The first defense of warding off the illness of any type is proper hand hygiene. Nowadays, with the amazing foaming soaps that smell like bubblegum and fruit, makes it easier to teach your children the importance of hand-washing.

Although there are some really great smelling hand sanitizers out on the market, please make sure your child knows not to drink hand sanitizer as ingesting it can cause alcohol poisoning.

We take vitamins, exercise and try to eat right just to try to be healthy. While all of those are important to living a life without sickness or disease, the one thing in this world that can rid most every germ is simple handwashing.

Remember, stocking up on toilet paper isn’t going to keep you and your family safe from the coronavirus or any other virus that’s thrown upon us; however, proper handwashing will.

Your turn

Have you ever had an experience where you saw someone who should have washed their hands and they didn’t? Share in a comment below!

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About stacey

Hi There! I'm Stacey. I'm so happy you stopped by. The purpose of Food Safety Superhero is to help you keep a safe, happy and healthy kitchen. The kitchen is the heart of every household and it's so important to keep our family healthy & safe at all times. Since the kitchen is the most pivotal locations in our homes, it's the one we must ensure is clean and safe. Food Safety Superhero provides food safety, kitchen safety, kitchen cleaning, and kitchen organizing tips, as well as, food storage solutions. At times, my home may be in disarray, but my kitchen is my sanctuary. It’s the one place I know will never be cluttered and always cleaned to my specifications. I love my kitchen. Can you say the same thing about yours? If not, together we can make your kitchen one of your most favorite rooms in your home.

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I’m pretty much obsessed with having a clean and safe kitchen. A safe kitchen is not just about kitchen safety. It encompasses how we store and prepare the food our family eats, to how we prevent germs from turning our kitchen into their after-hours dance club.

You can be absolutely sure if it revolves around the kitchen, it will be discussed. I love my kitchen. Can you say the same thing about yours? If not, together we can make your kitchen one of your most favorite rooms in your home. READ MORE!

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​Get a free preview of the Ultimate Kitchen Resource Guide. This sneak peek offers 5 of the best kithen resources you'll need right at your fingertips ANDa super special discount offer!